{"id":1246,"date":"2017-11-02T00:08:56","date_gmt":"2017-11-02T00:08:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.keen.com\/newarticles\/uncategorized\/how-to-lay-out-tarot-cards"},"modified":"2021-05-24T20:04:17","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T20:04:17","slug":"how-to-lay-out-tarot-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.keen.com\/articles\/tarot\/how-to-lay-out-tarot-cards","title":{"rendered":"How to Lay Out Tarot Cards"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"how-to-lay-tarot-cards\"<\/p>\n

If you ask ten different people how to lay out tarot cards, you\u2019ll get at least ten different answers. Tarot is a very intuitive craft and, though there are some basic things to keep in mind, the truth is that there is no one \u201cright\u201d or \u201cwrong\u201d way to lay out the cards. How you proceed depends more on what you want to achieve and what feels right to you than on any hard and fast rule.<\/span><\/p>\n

So how does a newcomer know where to begin? <\/span><\/p>\n

While there isn\u2019t any \u201cright\u201d way to lay out your tarot cards, these guidelines that may make it easier:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Choose your tarot deck – this should be a deck you feel connected to<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Know what you’re looking for in this reading and select the tarot spread that aligns with your aim<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Focus on your question as you shuffle the tarot cards – choose the shuffling method that works best for you<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Place the cards on the table and be open to the unexpected<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Use a tarot deck of your choice<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    Everyone is different and there is no wrong tarot deck to use. Choose a tarot deck<\/a> that works well for you – one that has a style that resonates with you. It\u2019s most important that you feel a connection to the deck you use.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Choose a spread before you start<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    There are dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of existing patterns for laying out your cards (known as \u201cspreads\u201d) in use. Some of them are traditional, such as the 11-card Celtic Cross tarot<\/a> spread or the 3-card Past, Present, and Future (Three Fates tarot<\/a>) spread. Some have been created for a specific purpose or with a particular tarot deck in mind. More experienced readers often create their own spreads, but a traditional spread gives the newcomer a more solid framework and can act as a guide.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Which spread you choose will depend on what you want to achieve. Some spreads are meant for general, non-specific readings, while others are intended to focus on narrow issues (such as romance or career) or to answer specific questions. Choose the spread that feels right for your particular situation. Need help deciding? Chat with a gifted tarot reader<\/a> on Keen to help you uncover which may be best for you. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Focus on your question<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    Since tarot is a means of gaining insight into a question or situation, one of the most important aspects of laying out the cards is infusing them with the energy of that question or situation. So while you\u2019re preparing to lay them out, while you\u2019re shuffling them, and while you\u2019re physically laying out your spread, focus on the issue at hand. Think of it as a sort of meditation, and don\u2019t let your mind wander to what you\u2019re going to make for dinner or if you let the dog out.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Handle the cards<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    Again, the object is to translate your question to the cards so that they can provide the answer, so the more physical contact you have with them the better. You may want to simply hold the deck in your hands for a few moments before you shuffle them, focusing on the issue at hand. (If you\u2019re reading for someone else, they should hold the cards and focus.) Once you feel the moment is right, shuffle the tarot cards<\/a> thoroughly. Many people then cut the cards. Others feel that cutting them disturbs the flow. Use your intuition\u2014if you feel they need cut, do so, and if not, don\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Put your cards on the table<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    Once you\u2019ve focused on your question, shuffled the cards, and cut them if you\u2019re going to do so, it\u2019s time to actually lay them out. Typically, the cards are taken one at a time from the top of the deck and laid face-down on the table or other flat surface. This is certainly the easiest method and the best option if you\u2019re reading for someone else. However, once again, there\u2019s no \u201cright\u201d or \u201cwrong\u201d way to do things, and if you feel compelled to do something different, by all means do so. Some people, especially when reading for themselves, prefer to fan the deck out face down and choose the cards they feel most drawn to. Others may take cards at random from the deck. But, whichever method you choose, lay them face-down according to the pattern of the spread you\u2019ve chosen, one card after another, till you\u2019ve completed the spread. Then set the remainder of the deck to the side, face-down, and prepare to turn them over one at a time as you begin your reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Be open to the unexpected<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    The cards sometimes seem to have a mind of their own. A card may fall, or even fly, out of the deck as you shuffle. One or more cards may mysteriously fall out of the deck as you begin to lay out your spread. This doesn\u2019t happen often, but when it does, pay attention. These maverick cards often have a message.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If an \u201cescapee\u201d card like this lands face-up, examine it carefully. What is it saying to you? If you haven\u2019t begun laying out your spread yet, place it in the first position. If you have, look at it as a modifier to all the cards you\u2019ve already laid out. If it\u2019s face up, it wants to be seen and wants you to give it some serious attention. If it lands face-down, place it alongside the last card you laid out and read them both together when you get to that part of your reading.
    As you practice and gain experience, and become familiar with your own personal tarot deck, you\u2019ll discover that some things work for you while others don\u2019t. You\u2019ll develop your own rituals and routines. At some point, you may even find that modifying a particular spread gives you better results, or that a certain layout works best for you. You can also     talk to a psychic<\/a> on Keen to hone your intuitive tarot reading skills and personal tarot style<\/a>. In the meantime, these basic guidelines are a good place to start and give you a general framework to work within.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you ask ten different people how to lay out tarot cards, you\u2019ll get at least ten different answers. Tarot is a very intuitive craft and, though there are some basic things to keep in mind, the truth is that there is no one \u201cright\u201d or \u201cwrong\u201d way to lay out the cards. How you …<\/p>\n

    How to Lay Out Tarot Cards<\/span> Read More \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":1311,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tarot"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Lay Out Tarot Cards - Keen Articles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to lay out tarot cards! 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